Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs On the Martyrdom of the Leader of the Nation

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

"Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with God; some have fulfilled their vow and some still wait, and they have not changed in the least."

The leader of the nation and great leader of Islamic Iran, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, was martyred during brutal attacks by the United States and the Zionist regime on his residence on the morning of Saturday, the 10th day of the holy month of Ramadan, and joined the higher spiritual realm.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran offers its congratulations and condolences on the martyrdom of this distinguished scholar and great leader to Imam Mahdi, the noble people of Iran, the Islamic community, and all freedom-loving and ethical people throughout the world.

The terrorist act by the United States and the Zionist regime in assassinating the great leader of Islamic Iran and other senior officials of the country, within the framework of military aggression against territorial integrity and national sovereignty, constitutes an unprecedented violation of the principles and moral foundations accepted by human society and a blatant breach of the fundamental rules of the United Nations Charter and international law.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs draws the attention of all countries to the grave reality that unprovoked military aggression against Iran, assassination of national leaders, and mass killing of innocent citizens represent an extremely dangerous precedent in international relations and a frightening shift toward naked domination and unchecked force at the global level.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes the responsibility of international institutions — especially the United Nations, its Security Council, the Secretary-General, and all UN member states — to safeguard the principles and rules that are the result of centuries of human experience aimed at restraining power and preventing domination by force in relations among states.

Undoubtedly, indifference and inaction toward the organized crimes of the United States and the Zionist regime will embolden oppressors and criminals, and its consequences will affect the entire world for generations.

The renewed military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran, in the midst of a diplomatic process and repeating their military attack of last June, is a continuation of expansionist and criminal operations pursued by these two malicious actors in West Asia — especially over the past two and a half years through the colonial genocide of Palestinians and attacks on independent states in the region.

It is regrettable that the planners and executors of this sinister plot — the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime — are among the most corrupt and malevolent leaders in the world, and their records of moral corruption and grave crimes, including genocide and war crimes, are evident to all.

Without doubt, the raised banner of justice, freedom-seeking, national dignity, patriotism, and moral leadership represented by Iran’s beloved leader will not fall.

The cowardly assassination of this great leader and distinguished Iranian figure will turn him into a lasting legend in the history of Iran and Shi’ism, guaranteeing forever the dignity and vitality of Iran and Islam and inspiring the pursuit of justice, freedom, and honor among Iranians and Muslims.

The free nation of Iran, relying on God and its rich civilizational and historical heritage, will continue the path of independence, dignity, and resistance with greater determination, and the enemies of this nation know well that martyrdom is not the end of a path but the beginning of a new stage of historical responsibility and steadfastness.